Research backs 'e-cigarette' use

Electronic "e-cigarettes" can improve the success rate of people trying to quit smoking by 60% compared with nicotine patches and gum, or relying on will power alone, research has shown.

The findings follow a survey of 5,863 smokers in England who had attempted to stop smoking without the aid of prescription medication or professional support.

Of those using e-cigarettes, a fifth reported having quit "real" cigarettes at the time the study was carried out.

The research, published in the journal Addiction, suggests that e-cigarettes could play a positive role in reducing smoking rates, say experts.

Study leader Professor Robert West, from University College London, said: "E-cigarettes could substantially improve public health because of their widespread appeal and the huge health gains associated with stopping smoking.

"However, we should also recognise that the strongest evidence remains for use of the NHS stop-smoking services. These almost triple a smoker's odds of successfully quitting compared with going it alone or relying on over-the-counter products."

The same team, chiefly funded by Cancer Research UK, also found that most e-cigarette use involved first-generation 'cigalike' products rather than newer devices that use refillable cartridges and a wider choice of nicotine concentrations and flavours.

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Co-author Dr Jamie Brown, also from University College London, said: "We will continue to monitor success rates in people using e-cigarettes to stop smoking to see whether there are improvements as the devices become more advanced."

Prof West acknowledged that some quitters may want to keep using e-cigarettes indefinitely, and it was not clear whether or not this carried long-term health risks.

But he added: "From what is known about the contents of the vapour these will be much less than from smoking.

" Some public health experts have expressed concern that widespread use of e-cigarettes could 're-normalise' smoking. However, we are tracking this very closely and see no evidence of it. Smoking rates in England are declining, quitting rates are increasing and regular e-cigarette use among never smokers is negligible."

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Alison Cox, Cancer Research UK's head of tobacco policy, said: "Smoking is the largest preventable cause of cancer and accounts for more than one in four cancer deaths in the UK - so helping smokers to stop is a vital contribution to the health of the UK.

"E-cigarettes may have a role in helping people to quit smoking but while the rapid rise in their popularity suggests a real opportunity, the evidence for their effectiveness is so far limited. Cancer Research UK is funding much-needed research into e-cigarette use to help inform policy development and individuals' choices, and research such as this is helping to paint a clearer picture."

Makes the Labour Welsh Assembly Govt's plan to ban them, on health grounds, look a little silly. Labour should just come clean and admit that they have just been caught out doing what they, and all socialists, always do, trying to control every aspect of people's lives for no other reason than it makes them feel important. I note that there is also no evidence of e-cigs "re-normalising" smoking, yet another leftist myth dealt with.

Makes the Labour Welsh Assembly Govt's plan to ban them, on health grounds, look a little silly.
Labour should just come clean and admit that they have just been caught out doing what they, and all socialists, always do, trying to control every aspect of people's lives for no other reason than it makes them feel important.
I note that there is also no evidence of e-cigs "re-normalising" smoking, yet another leftist myth dealt with.Crossbenchtory

Makes the Labour Welsh Assembly Govt's plan to ban them, on health grounds, look a little silly. Labour should just come clean and admit that they have just been caught out doing what they, and all socialists, always do, trying to control every aspect of people's lives for no other reason than it makes them feel important. I note that there is also no evidence of e-cigs "re-normalising" smoking, yet another leftist myth dealt with.

Score: -5

Independentvoter says...2:58pm Tue 20 May 14

I have used the E-cigarette for three months now. I haven't once thought about smoking a 'normal' cigarette. They work for me. I used to smoke 40 cigarettes a day that's £420 a month and £5,040 a year. Now I spend £24 a month on E-cigarettes which equals £288 a year.

I have used the E-cigarette for three months now. I haven't once thought about smoking a 'normal' cigarette. They work for me. I used to smoke 40 cigarettes a day that's £420 a month and £5,040 a year. Now I spend £24 a month on E-cigarettes which equals £288 a year.Independentvoter

I have used the E-cigarette for three months now. I haven't once thought about smoking a 'normal' cigarette. They work for me. I used to smoke 40 cigarettes a day that's £420 a month and £5,040 a year. Now I spend £24 a month on E-cigarettes which equals £288 a year.

Score: 9

Crossbenchtory says...3:04pm Tue 20 May 14

Independentvoter wrote…

I have used the E-cigarette for three months now. I haven't once thought about smoking a 'normal' cigarette. They work for me. I used to smoke 40 cigarettes a day that's £420 a month and £5,040 a year. Now I spend £24 a month on E-cigarettes which equals £288 a year.

Good for you. It is definitely worth it, I've been using e-cigs for nearly 2 years now, having smoked 30 a day for over 20 years, and in all that time I've had 1 cigarette and that was when my battery went flat when I was in a pub with my cousin, who smokes. The long term benefits are that I don't smoke, my health is better, I'm fitter and I don't stink of tobacco smoke.

[quote][p][bold]Independentvoter[/bold] wrote:
I have used the E-cigarette for three months now. I haven't once thought about smoking a 'normal' cigarette. They work for me. I used to smoke 40 cigarettes a day that's £420 a month and £5,040 a year. Now I spend £24 a month on E-cigarettes which equals £288 a year.[/p][/quote]Good for you. It is definitely worth it, I've been using e-cigs for nearly 2 years now, having smoked 30 a day for over 20 years, and in all that time I've had 1 cigarette and that was when my battery went flat when I was in a pub with my cousin, who smokes.
The long term benefits are that I don't smoke, my health is better, I'm fitter and I don't stink of tobacco smoke.Crossbenchtory

Independentvoter wrote…

I have used the E-cigarette for three months now. I haven't once thought about smoking a 'normal' cigarette. They work for me. I used to smoke 40 cigarettes a day that's £420 a month and £5,040 a year. Now I spend £24 a month on E-cigarettes which equals £288 a year.

Good for you. It is definitely worth it, I've been using e-cigs for nearly 2 years now, having smoked 30 a day for over 20 years, and in all that time I've had 1 cigarette and that was when my battery went flat when I was in a pub with my cousin, who smokes. The long term benefits are that I don't smoke, my health is better, I'm fitter and I don't stink of tobacco smoke.

Score: 4

politicaltrainspotter says...3:29pm Tue 20 May 14

Independentvoter wrote…

I have used the E-cigarette for three months now. I haven't once thought about smoking a 'normal' cigarette. They work for me. I used to smoke 40 cigarettes a day that's £420 a month and £5,040 a year. Now I spend £24 a month on E-cigarettes which equals £288 a year.

I totally agree with your comments.I gave up smoking on the 30th of December 2012 and have not had a cigarette since.Like you my health is better and i don't smell of smoke.Standing next to a smoker is only when you realise how bad the smell is and how bad smoking is. One thing i don't do and that is to use it in a bar or shopping mall. Vaping is a big industry and not only does it improve your health and your wallet it also bring jobs to the economy.

[quote][p][bold]Independentvoter[/bold] wrote:
I have used the E-cigarette for three months now. I haven't once thought about smoking a 'normal' cigarette. They work for me. I used to smoke 40 cigarettes a day that's £420 a month and £5,040 a year. Now I spend £24 a month on E-cigarettes which equals £288 a year.[/p][/quote]I totally agree with your comments.I gave up smoking on the 30th of December 2012 and have not had a cigarette since.Like you my health is better and i don't smell of smoke.Standing next to a smoker is only when you realise how bad the smell is and how bad smoking is.
One thing i don't do and that is to use it in a bar or shopping mall.
Vaping is a big industry and not only does it improve your health and your wallet it also bring jobs to the economy.politicaltrainspotter

Independentvoter wrote…

I have used the E-cigarette for three months now. I haven't once thought about smoking a 'normal' cigarette. They work for me. I used to smoke 40 cigarettes a day that's £420 a month and £5,040 a year. Now I spend £24 a month on E-cigarettes which equals £288 a year.

I totally agree with your comments.I gave up smoking on the 30th of December 2012 and have not had a cigarette since.Like you my health is better and i don't smell of smoke.Standing next to a smoker is only when you realise how bad the smell is and how bad smoking is. One thing i don't do and that is to use it in a bar or shopping mall. Vaping is a big industry and not only does it improve your health and your wallet it also bring jobs to the economy.

Score: 5

Dilligaf2010 says...5:16pm Tue 20 May 14

I gave up 9 weeks ago yesterday, using willpower alone. I'd only been smoking for 12 years this time around, having given up for 10 years prior to that, and I'm hoping nothing will happen in the future to push me back to the habit, although I suppose e-cigs are now a healthier option

I gave up 9 weeks ago yesterday, using willpower alone.
I'd only been smoking for 12 years this time around, having given up for 10 years prior to that, and I'm hoping nothing will happen in the future to push me back to the habit, although I suppose e-cigs are now a healthier optionDilligaf2010

I gave up 9 weeks ago yesterday, using willpower alone. I'd only been smoking for 12 years this time around, having given up for 10 years prior to that, and I'm hoping nothing will happen in the future to push me back to the habit, although I suppose e-cigs are now a healthier option

Score: -3

Independentvoter says...8:56pm Tue 20 May 14

Crossbenchtory wrote…

Independentvoter wrote…

I have used the E-cigarette for three months now. I haven't once thought about smoking a 'normal' cigarette. They work for me. I used to smoke 40 cigarettes a day that's £420 a month and £5,040 a year. Now I spend £24 a month on E-cigarettes which equals £288 a year.

Good for you. It is definitely worth it, I've been using e-cigs for nearly 2 years now, having smoked 30 a day for over 20 years, and in all that time I've had 1 cigarette and that was when my battery went flat when I was in a pub with my cousin, who smokes. The long term benefits are that I don't smoke, my health is better, I'm fitter and I don't stink of tobacco smoke.

Well I haven't had a laugh in a long time - nice one !!! When you said you had a fag cause your battery went flat I know what you mean lol !!!! I now have plenty of spare batteries hehe Well done to the other posters that have given up - good on you !!!!

[quote][p][bold]Crossbenchtory[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Independentvoter[/bold] wrote:
I have used the E-cigarette for three months now. I haven't once thought about smoking a 'normal' cigarette. They work for me. I used to smoke 40 cigarettes a day that's £420 a month and £5,040 a year. Now I spend £24 a month on E-cigarettes which equals £288 a year.[/p][/quote]Good for you. It is definitely worth it, I've been using e-cigs for nearly 2 years now, having smoked 30 a day for over 20 years, and in all that time I've had 1 cigarette and that was when my battery went flat when I was in a pub with my cousin, who smokes.
The long term benefits are that I don't smoke, my health is better, I'm fitter and I don't stink of tobacco smoke.[/p][/quote]Well I haven't had a laugh in a long time - nice one !!!
When you said you had a fag cause your battery went flat I know what you mean lol !!!!
I now have plenty of spare batteries hehe
Well done to the other posters that have given up - good on you !!!!Independentvoter

Crossbenchtory wrote…

Independentvoter wrote…

I have used the E-cigarette for three months now. I haven't once thought about smoking a 'normal' cigarette. They work for me. I used to smoke 40 cigarettes a day that's £420 a month and £5,040 a year. Now I spend £24 a month on E-cigarettes which equals £288 a year.

Good for you. It is definitely worth it, I've been using e-cigs for nearly 2 years now, having smoked 30 a day for over 20 years, and in all that time I've had 1 cigarette and that was when my battery went flat when I was in a pub with my cousin, who smokes. The long term benefits are that I don't smoke, my health is better, I'm fitter and I don't stink of tobacco smoke.

Well I haven't had a laugh in a long time - nice one !!! When you said you had a fag cause your battery went flat I know what you mean lol !!!! I now have plenty of spare batteries hehe Well done to the other posters that have given up - good on you !!!!

Score: 6

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